Post by NZBC on May 13, 2007 14:44:36 GMT 12
Sonia Yee is a Wellington-based actor. She is a third generation ethnic Chinese New Zealander, born in Christchurch
to a NZ Chinese mother who was born in Te Awamutu and raised in Wellington, and a Fijian-born father.
Both parents are of Cantonese (their parents originally from South China- Guangzhou/Canton) descent. Sonia recently performed her solo, multi-character show, ¡®The Wholly Grain¡¯. Set in a fish ¡®n chip shop, the story deals with a young girl Chinese girl growing up in NZ, and the conflicts she confronts in dealing with family expectation and identity. What¡¯s your experience of being a New Zealander who doesn't fit into the categories of Pakeha / white or Maori ?
Growing up Chinese in NZ was difficult in some ways because I never felt I belonged, and that I was always straddling the borders of my NZ and Chinese identities. As a child I realised I was different when other Pakeha children made racist comments. People make judgements based on ethnic stereotypes, for example that I should be good at maths, when in fact it was my worst subject. Some people assume that because I¡¯m Chinese that I don¡¯t speak English.
When they speak to me they¡¯re surprised at how articulate I am. Even now, especially in Christchurch, I experience the odd racial comment. They hurt because I feel very strongly that I am a NZer. I feel offended by being told to ¡®go home¡¯. NZ is the place of my birth and the only home that I know and identify with. Because I don¡¯t speak Cantonese, some Chinese have accused me of not being loyal to my Chinese heritage and identity. I feel connected to my Chinese
NZ identity, which is something I strongly explore as an actor in my work.
Original content can be found at Sydney Morning Herald
to a NZ Chinese mother who was born in Te Awamutu and raised in Wellington, and a Fijian-born father.
Both parents are of Cantonese (their parents originally from South China- Guangzhou/Canton) descent. Sonia recently performed her solo, multi-character show, ¡®The Wholly Grain¡¯. Set in a fish ¡®n chip shop, the story deals with a young girl Chinese girl growing up in NZ, and the conflicts she confronts in dealing with family expectation and identity. What¡¯s your experience of being a New Zealander who doesn't fit into the categories of Pakeha / white or Maori ?
Growing up Chinese in NZ was difficult in some ways because I never felt I belonged, and that I was always straddling the borders of my NZ and Chinese identities. As a child I realised I was different when other Pakeha children made racist comments. People make judgements based on ethnic stereotypes, for example that I should be good at maths, when in fact it was my worst subject. Some people assume that because I¡¯m Chinese that I don¡¯t speak English.
When they speak to me they¡¯re surprised at how articulate I am. Even now, especially in Christchurch, I experience the odd racial comment. They hurt because I feel very strongly that I am a NZer. I feel offended by being told to ¡®go home¡¯. NZ is the place of my birth and the only home that I know and identify with. Because I don¡¯t speak Cantonese, some Chinese have accused me of not being loyal to my Chinese heritage and identity. I feel connected to my Chinese
NZ identity, which is something I strongly explore as an actor in my work.
Original content can be found at Sydney Morning Herald